Chapter 6 – After Effects
As I saw the lights play across
the hills and the resort announcing the opening ceremonies of the festival, I
struggled to bring my thoughts into order.
Exhausted from the day's events and the sheer anguish, I had spent the
last two hrs crying and soul searching.
I really didn't want to be the Master Of Ceremonies but alas my duties
called. "Calley:
Are the protection details ready and the place ready for me to kick this thing
off?"
When she answered in the
affirmative, I could see the disapproval of even having to talk to me in my
minds eye. Gathering myself to my feet,
I signed off and jumped to my room and did a quick clean up. The alarm clock beside the bed glowed 10 mins to the starting
time. Dressing in black slacks and a
I
straightened the knot of the silk tie looped around my throat for the
thousandth time, struggling to stifle the butterflies in my stomach. Dressed in a black suit, blue shirt, and
silver silk tie, I knew I looked great, but never quite believed it, and here I
was about to escort Becky to the premier.
I certainly didn't want to look like a fool as she would be looking
absolutely stunning. God, everything was
riding on this night. The
future of the Raid, my reputation as a businessman, my future as a secret crime
fighter, my friendships, everything.
A prayer formed on my lips, "Dear God, give me the strength I need
to get through this."
I walked
out of my office, where I'd changed, and out into the hall, heading for Becky's
suite, the nervousness still riding in my throat.
I adjusted the brown
curls on either side of my face. I heard
the knock on the door and jumped dumping the baby’s breath from coil of
brunette strands. My heart was racing and
I went to answer the door. "Mike...
whew it is only you." Relieved I
took in the handsome beau before me. "Wow!" I could feel the grin
starting. "Doesn’t someone clean up
good?"
"Thanks,"
I said, trying to conceal the slight flush I felt, Ready to go?"
I looped my arm into his
and pulled the silver wrap over my shoulders to accentuate my blue strapless
evening gown. "Of course. And who is the young studling
with the red hair trailing us?"
"Extra
security I brought on for tonight.
Seth's a good man, knows his job."
I shot him a smile from over my shoulder. He smiled back, as he knew I'd given him no
choice.
"Ms. Woods. Everything is under control and may I say I
have been a big fun of yours for years!"
Seth was bubbling over with excitement.
YEARS! Becky thought.
"Well I guess one of my advanced age should take
that as a compliment," Becky said casting a withering gaze up the
teenager.
The smile fell off his
face and Seth felt crestfallen he had insulted the actress. Babbling and trying to apologize, he just
kept digging himself deeper until Mike finally had to step in.
"Don't
you have a check-in to make?" I asked.
The
chit-chat died in a moment. Becky
giggled a little bit, knowing the impact she had on people. I too cracked a small grin, remembering the
way I'd been when I first met her; not too far removed from the way Seth had
been a moment ago, until someone else stopped me from making a complete fool of
myself.
I asked,
"Nervous?"
"Completely" I
said smoothing down the front of my gown.
I had to admit Vera had been right about this style. "So far I have a major movie debuting, a
film festival to kick off, a gaggle of press, and if that wasn't enough, One of
my best friends returns from the dead and is trying to kill me. What's to be nervous about?” I laughed
lightening the mood. Mike had always
been a good guy and I but think that if the fire hadn't happened, he would have
his own star shining tonight.
Seth heard the exotic
voice of Kami come over the ear piece with the news
herself and Lupe were escorting Tepnapa to the
amphitheater and that Tobey was getting ready and would be there on time. Becky decided to give the kid a break. "Mr. Seth how about this weekend, we get
together for lunch and you can tell me all about me and how great I
am?" Seth positively gushed at this
and glanced for permission from Mike.
"Who
am I to refuse the whims of Ms. Becky?" I said, "I never could say no
to her."
Seth
positively gushed with pride as we stepped out into the night air, heading for
the amphitheater. Out of the corner of
my eye, I saw the other members of the Pack stationed about, providing more
security alongside the small contingent of police officers Captain Solak insisted on sending in.
With a trill of laughter
my two handsome men escorted me across the lawn to the bowl and I could see JT
was getting the same treatment with two stunning women. The flashbulbs erupted and the night had
begun as we made our way through the crowds to our seats and waited for the
festival to begin
Inside
the gates, it felt as if we were in a dance hall with the flashes of the
photographers' cameras. Reporters
shouted at us, several asking if we were dating, to which we were both quick to
deny. Somewhere near the rail which
separated the reporters from the red carpet, I saw the waitress from the bar,
the one who spilled the martini on my shirt the night Becky had been
kidnapped. Distracted from the press, I
wondered what she was doing here. That's
when a chill crawled up my back, though at the moment, there was nothing I
could do about it at the moment. There
was no way to dash off, besides, it was just a feeling.
We kept
on, but the look in her eyes stayed with me.
A look that said, "I need to say something to you."
I was waiting back stage
and saw that Mike and the team were in place.
Slightly nervous to public speaking I felt arms wrap around waist and I
tensed until Zack kissed me on the cheek.
Turning around I hugged him with all my might. Pulling back I looked at his handsome
face.
"Tobey I missed you
the last few days."
"I missed you too
Zack. You wouldn't believe what we had to do to get this thing going."
Zack frowned. "Tobey is everything alright? You look ... I don't know... there is just
something off."
I was about to tell him
everything when a PA rushed up and announced they were ready. "Zack tonight after the event, I need to
talk. I ne..I need to tell
someone." And with tears in my eyes I stopped myself and held him to gain
strength. He gently stroked the back of
my hair and agreed. Then he scurried off
to take care of yet another detail that only he as the manager could deal
with. Pulling a bit of curtain, I wiped any
tears and snot that might have accumulated and straightened my black blazer. Then the lights went out. The fan fare blew and I walked out on
stage. The whole amphitheatre was light
by the moon and stars and the flashbulbs began as I approached center stage.
"LADIES
AND GENTLEMEN! STUDIO EXECUTIVES AND MOVIE GOERS!!! WELCOME TO THE RAID AND THE GREAT WOLF FILM
FESTIVAL!!!" The crowd
erupted. Close to 500 people packed the
seats and another 1000 were camped out on the lawn.
And here we go I thought.
"Welcome. I am Tobey
Tomorrow we will have
several movies screening here at the amphitheater, the conferences rooms at the
lodge and the Round Rock of course there will be fine dining, even finer women,
and opportunities to meet the constellation of talent gathered here. We would like to thank our host MR. MIKE
SLAGENWEIT!"
I waved
as the crowd roared again, a big grin on my face, glad to have the chance to
share something with the people gathered here
As the crowd showed its
love, I wound up my remarks. "Mr.
Slagenweit, Myself and the staff of The Raid would like
to extend to you all a very heart felt welcome and offer that should you need
any assistance, please see any of our friendly staff. And for any daring adventurous souls that
like to live on the edge, we do have a lovely timeshare sales pitch available,"
I said with a horrified expression that stirred a giggle in the crowd.
“And now without further
adieu, let's kick off what will be that start of an annual tradition with a
truly remarkable film from Project Green Light.
Director Kristopher Hardwick brings us a tale of intrigue, suspense and
a global race for justice. Ladies and
Gentlemen the first film of the GREAT WOLF FILM FESTIVAL!!! ‘THE ROOSTER CROWS AT
MIDNIGHT’!!!!!!"
And with that the
spotlight cut off and the crowd applauded.
I walked into the wings as the credits began. I started shaking with relief and took a
drink of water. Calley's
voice sounded in my ear. "Tobey that was a great speech. You're on official host duty for the rest of
the night. We got the detail covered."
I grimaced. "Affirmative," I
said. Great. I was being benched.
All in all, when the credits
rolled at the end, it was a good film; a worthy testament to its creator's
work. People laughed at the jokes, got nervous in the rights spots, a couple of
women even screamed at the scary part. Through this all though, I kept
wondering why the Fashionista hadn't shown. I was
certain he would. This would have been a perfect opportunity to wipe me, JT,
and Becky off the map. Not to mention all the entourage we had here. Could it
be possible that he'd gotten his satisfaction with that torture session? Nah,
that was ridiculous. He wouldn't be satisfied until I was stone cold in the
grave.
I rose to escort Becky back to the
bar for the post feature party; she accepted my arm, and with Seth following
behind, we again walked through the crush of press. Again, I saw the waitress,
and again she gave me that look. I would've given it more thought, but alas,
work called before duty.
They were in my sights. Targets 2
and 3 were together and were moving through the crowd. Target 1 was moving
through the far gates towards his cottage. Two really quick pops would be all
it took to send the crowd into a panic. I wouldn't even have to fire. At this
point they would be trampled. Yet my instructions were clear. I continued to
watch.
I could see that Mike was
preoccupied. Ensuring that one of the team was close by, I went up to him.
"Sir, as your body guard, I have to say you look like something is
wrong?"
"Nah, just a goofy thought,
it's gone now," I replied, appreciating Seth's concern for me. Despite his
brashness and inability to listen some days, he was the best kid we ever
brought into Timberwolf.
"Okay" I started to make
my way over to Becky. Off in a dark corner, I saw Tobey nursing a drink. I
wondered if I should go and talk to him. He looked up and, I don't know why,
but his face darkened and he stalked off onto the patio.
Benched. Great. I knew it would happen
quickly, but the team was moving like lightning. Already
taking me off the case. I didn't stick around too long. I had gone to
find Zack only to find out he was in for along night due to some foul up. After
I wrapped up the screening, I escorted some movie starlet and her movie studio
exec boyfriend to the Round Rock for the post party. Thankfully they got caught
up in another group and I slipped away. The corner was just what I needed. Wait
a minute. Seth is looking over at me. What is with that look? Ah frak, no I lost the kids respect too. Why? Why did it have
to go down like that? You're a murder that's why. Shut the frak
up! Why the frak won't that brat just say something or move on? Oh frak
this? Standing up, I maneuvered through the crowd to get some fresh air
outside.
The Round
Rock was packed full, as I'd hoped, and people seemed to be enjoying themselves
as I mingled through the crowd. The events of the previous days forgotten, at least temporarily. I picked up a Pepsi at the bar, greeted a few
acquaintances, shook a few hands, even laughed at a joke, but tried to keep
things in perspective: we were still on the lookout for a madman.
As I
worked my way through the crowd, the waitress who I'd seen earlier was pushing
her way through the crowd to get to me.
I excused myself, on seeing her. Better find out what this is about, I
told myself.
"Excuse
me, Mr. Slagenweit," she said.
"Please,"
I replied, "I'm not the hard-liner everyone thinks I am. My name's Mike."
"Alicia
Kendrick."
"Nice to meet you, Alicia.
What can I do for you?"
She seemed
to stutter a bit here, as if she'd forgotten her purpose. I thought it might be due to the fact that
I'd treated her unlike any other employer she might've had. "Umm... ah..."
"Is
there a problem?" I asked, gently, trying to calm her so she could
actually tell me what was on her mind.
"It's
just that, well..." I placed my hand on her shoulder and said, "It'll
be all right. I know that you need to
tell me something."
"Sir... its... its...I can't do this... this was a mistake... I'm sorry to
have bothered you Mr. Slagenweit".
She turned to go.
"Are
you sure?" I asked, "I mean, it's not
anything serious is it?"
Her nerves were on
end. He should just let it her go to her
doom.
At that
second, my sixth sense sparked, and I was able for the first time in my life to
give it a direction, right in front of me.
I said, "Alicia, why don't we get out of this crowd. That way, there won't be so much
pressure."
I lead
her though the crowd toward the hallway.
As we made our way, I noticed how attractive she was; with her
strawberry blonde hair falling down over her shoulders. She'd had a brilliant set of green eyes,
flashing in the light. Stop! Thoughts like this were a distraction I
couldn't afford to deal with right now!
I closed
the door to the bar and the noise coming from the bar subsided
a few decibels. I said,
"Better?"
"Really, I need to
get back to work. I'm putting you in
danger just talking to you."
"Danger? I beg your
pardon?" The sensation strengthened
a notch.
She made to move past
him.
I made
quick grab for her arm, not intending to cause harm, but I knew that I had when
I saw the wince. I said, voice going a
bit darker, "What is it, Alicia. I
need to know."
He could read the fear in
her eyes, but the fear of what? In her
eyes she seemed to come to a decision.
Her shoulders fell and she sighed.
"Mr. Slagenweit...
it was me. I was the one who gave them access to the resort."
Despite
all my control, a hint of rage flushed in my eyes. Despite everything I'd done to protect my
friends, I'd been betrayed and here I'd saw something attractive in this
woman. Now to discover that she'd helped
the Fashionista capture me and torture me within an
inch of my life; it made the betrayal all the deeper.
I grated,
"What are they planning?"
She shrunk back from the
rage in his eyes . "I don't know." She was trembling
"You
have to tell me." I tried reaching
into her mind, seeing if I could sense what she knew, to no avail.
She felt a slight buzz in
her head. "I was hired to find out
how someone can get into the resort.”
"Who
put you up to it?"
My
frustration was growing with each passing second.
The words were trying to
come out.
I turned
and put a fist into the paneling. My
voice rose into a near scream, "I know that you know something! You have got to tell me! It's a matter of life or death, damn
it!"
This
wasn't like me, I knew, but betrayal had a way of boiling my blood and frying
my nerves in a way that few understood.
My breath came in heaves.
"OKAY!" The terror she was feeling nearly buckled her
knees. But it was the fire in his eyes
the sent her to the floor sobbing.
"It was Barnett. It was Barnett." She knew her life was over. If this man didn't turn her in, Barnet would
kill her. But she had to make him
understand. "I had no choice."
"Barnett! That bastard!
Where is he? What is he
planning?"
"I don't know. He
told me that something was going down. During the festival and that his boss
would be pleased at the most amount of destruction.
Seeing
the tears in her eyes, my anger relented a bit, as I finally believed her. I said, "All right, I believe you. But you know that I'm going to have to turn
you into the police?"
With shame she shook her
head.
"I'll
do what I can..." I'd realized the extent of how much I'd frightened her,
but at the moment didn't have time to dwell on it. I escorted her to my office and left her
there, taking the few seconds to disconnect the phone and internet access with
a wall switch hidden behind a panel in the hall.
"Wait!"
"What
is it?"
"Mr.
Slagenweit. I am so sorry. I didn't mean for anyone to get hurt."
That
stopped me. I turned about, looking
squarely in her eyes, judging the sincerity of her words. They spoke the words that words themselves
couldn't speak. I said, voice gone soft
again, "I believe you."
Not trusting herself to
speak, she just looked away. After he
left locking the door, she just sat thinking about what she had done. But one thought kept coming back. She wanted to make up for this to Mr. S. If she could just figure
out how.
I got out
of earshot of my office and said into my comm link,
which Darren had been quick to replace, "I found the mole. She's locked in my office. High alert, people.
Barnett's gang has something big in store for us."
"Roger that Mate.
Who was it?"
"Alicia
Kendrick. The waitress from the other night."
"NO BLOODY WAY! Tis a shame
really...that sheila was hot!"
"I
know, but we can't worry about that right now.
I'm going to suit up."
"What
for?"
"You're
right; I'm probably jumping the gun. But
be prepped to, just in case things start going south."
"What’s the target? When?"
"She
didn't know. So make damn certain JT and
Becky are covered."
"Will do mate. Kami and Lupe are currently on duty. You and I are on detail tomorrow
morning. Seth and Shawna have tomorrow
morning. Then Calley and Ty tomorrow evening.
"Wait
a sec. Something just occurred to me. Where's Night in that breakdown?"
"Uhmmm...uh"
came the response over the comm link
"Where
is he? He's got to know this!"
Mike could hear tapping
on the keyboard from the other end.
"Current location is the Round Rock on the third floor
gardens"
"All
right, I'm headed back that way. Warn
the cops; tell them to start their patrols early. Let everyone else know."
"Mike do you think
it is wise to bring Tobey in on this?"
"At
this juncture, I don't think we have a choice.
I hate to sound insensitive, but he's got to get over whatever it
is."
Darren just didn't know
how to broach this. "Mike, Seth told Calley and
me what happened when they went to get you."
"I
was completely out of it then, what's going on?"
"Maybe we better get
you and Calley down here."
"What
the hell is going on, Darren?"
Darren offered up a
prayer. "Sir.
Nightwolf was like a banshee. I had never seen him like that and, well...
he…"
"WHAT!?!" I could feel the anger
rising again, getting sick of these runarounds.
"He murdered 3 of
the guards! He killed them in cold blood
and almost took out
“Can Nightwolf
be trusted?”
For the
second time that night, I felt like someone punched me in the face. My best friend, doing something
like this? I couldn't believe
it! No frakking
way he'd actually *kill* someone!
"Mate? Mike are you there?"
"Yeah...
...yeah, I'm still here... ..."
I still
couldn't believe it, but somewhere in the jumble of confusion my thoughts were
in, I wanted to give Tobey the benefit of the doubt. I said, "I'll watch him. If something seems to be going wrong, I'll
take care of it."
"Ok. I'll let Calley
know. Anything
else?"
"No...
no, nothing... ...thanks."
Mike just kinda stood there in the hall for a moment and then pushed
off in search of Tobey.
Ever
since Sarah deMarza, I'd been careful to guard my
heart against betrayal. Now, for two
times in one night, the very thing I'd worked so hard to protect myself against
had gotten the better of me.
In the gardens on the
roof top of the spa and bar, Tobey leaned against the railing and tried to
focus but the bitterness kept welling up.
How? How did he let it happen?
How could he show his face? He
saw Mike coming up the path.
"Hey, Tobey." I said, quietly.
Of all people, Tobey
didn't want to face this person.
"Now's not a good time Mike."
He tossed back another swig of his scotch.
"So
I gathered." a long pause, "Despite the fact that I could get Ty to read
your mind, I'd rather you just tell me what would make you resort to this."
"Leave it alone
Mike. You don't want to be
here." Not with a killer I thought.
My glass was empty. I pitched it over
the side. I heard a tinkle of shattered
glass below.
"Well,
I am. And I'm not leaving; call me a
stubborn horse's ass, but I want to know."
"Well fine. If you won't leave, I will." I brush past on his left side.
I put
myself between him and the exit, shoving him back, "No. I want to know and right now."
He had pushed too
hard. I had to let it out and
unfortunately my friend was the only target.
I let loose with right cross that sent him on his butt.
"You want to know
what happened. I lost it. I crossed the
line and I don't know how you can stand to even look at me!"
"What
the hell are you talking about?!"
"SO MANY YEARS OF
TRAINING AND I TOSSED ALL AWAY! I
Protect. I make sure people are
safe. I am sure that the little stoolie
told you all about my slip up back at the hideout.
Well yes it's true!"
I couldn't find the words. But then I
did. It wasn't anything physical that
caused Sabre to wince back. It was the use of the Deity Cursing
Explicative at the top of my lungs that made his eyes go
wide.
"I didn't want to do
this. I didn't want to inflict myself on
you. I have let you down way to much already BUT NO! You had to go nosing
around and pushing my buttons! WELL F*C* YOU AND THIS RESORT!" And with that I vaporized out of
existence. My senses brought me back to
reality in that my face was covered in liquid.
Not just because I had materialized at my favorite rock at the base of
the waterfall, but from the tears that were once again falling. I needed help. Couldn't they see I needed help? The poets were right... it is darkest before
dawn.
I sat
there, hardly daring to believe what I'd just heard. The questions started immediately, and then
the guilt set in. What could I have done
differently? I shouldn't have been so
rough. I should've done this
differently. God a million things to
worry about and now, I'd also lost my best friend in the process. Some leader I was. Can't even hold my own team together when we
had enemies out there, conspiring to kill us all.
I thought
about heading right back down to the bar, getting drunk off my ass, puking it
in the porcelain Buddha, and waking up with a hangover the next day, but where
would that get me? Instead, I called
Fuzzy.
I hate heights, Fuzzy said, what has happened?
I screwed up, I replied, I confronted Tobey about what happened during that rescue mission, and
well, here I am...
I suspected that something like this
might happen. It will pass, we just have
to make sure that he doesn't go and do something stupid.
How is it that you know so much about
human emotions?
You, young pup. A
pause then Fuzzy said, that confused the companion
"Me how do I factor in?" Mike was clearly in for a night of
revelations.
Fuzzy regarded him like a
wizened sage. "Do you think that all we do is share words? Honestly pup, when we communicate, I am able
to pick up pictures, feelings, intent
And you're saying you got this from
me? Jesus. How do I help him?
"By not speaking words when you communicate
with him young one." Mike
thought he dedicated what he could have sworn was a smile.
Yeah, I
thought, didn't I have empathic abilities?
Why wasn't I using them?
"That is not what I meant. You
need to use your most valued skills right now."
There are
days when I question those skills.
"Michael.
Tobey needs you to be his friend.
Listen. Be there."
You're right, as always. Why do I doubt myself?
You’re human.
I rose to
my feet and bucking up my courage, I took off heading for the ground. I knew he hadn't gone far, and exactly where
to find him.
The scene just kept
playing over and over in my mind. The bursting through the door. Mike hanging there. The Fashionista and his goons. The fight. The feeling of ripping the life force out of
those that had went after me. The worst
part was the feeling of joy as the bodies dropped. I couldn't hear the crunch of the gravel
above the roar of the water fall or my own sniffles. I felt a presence behind
me and someone just grasp my shoulder gently.
"I'm here."
He turned
around and saw me, I said, trying to keep my voice calm and uninflected,
"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have pried, but.... well, you know how I am
sometimes."
I looked at him through
the tears.
Finally the pain could be
held back no more.
Turning, I crushed him
into a hug. I didn't want to let
go. It all poured out. What I had done. My shame. My pain.
I held my
friend, just holding him like I might've for a child. Tears welled up in my eyes to, but I held
them back, just letting the emotions go into the night breeze.
I don't know how I got
there, but I woke up in my bunk with the sun shining down on me. I had no recollection besides my friend
comforting me but I knew somehow things might be ok. But one thing was for sure. I had to find out how I ended up in my bed
with no clothes on!
I looked
over the rail, and saw Zack walking down toward the waterfall. A smile broke on my face. He'd explain, I
hoped, but if not, I knew Tobey would eventually figure it out.